freedom of information

Records Management/Data Protection

Introduction

What is the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002?

The Act requires all public authorities, including Councils, to be open with information. The Act gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by the Council. It sets out exemptions from that right and places various obligations upon the Council.

From January 2005 any person who makes a request to the Council for information must be informed whether the Council holds that information and, subject to exemptions, supplied with that information.

Publication Scheme

What is a Publication Scheme?

The Act requires Scottish public authorities to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme in which they list the types of information which they make available as a matter of course to the public. The publication scheme should be available on the authority's website, or provided on request. The purpose of this Publication Scheme is to ensure that a significant amount of information is available without the need for a specific request. The Council has been mindful of the value of openness and transparency, and therefore the Publication Scheme sets out the categories of information that the Council publishes or intends to publish; how the information in each category is, or is intended to be published and any charge that may apply.

More information about the Act can be found on the Scottish Information Commissioner's website.

You can click on any of the following links to view a full copy of the Council's Publication Scheme and the terms and conditions:

• SIC Publication Scheme 2013 - pdf document 138KB

Accessing Information under the Publication Scheme

The website is intended to operate as a convenient user-friendly resource to enable you to find the information you are looking for easily.

The authority has computers, linked to the Internet, with printing facilities, in the Shetland Library. The Library is accessible for people with disabilities.

Email

If the information you request is not available on our website, but is listed in our publication scheme, we will send it to you by email, wherever practical.

By post

All information is also available in a paper copy form.

In person

For some information you can make an appointment to view the information.

By phone

Information can also be requested over the telephone. Please provide full contact details, including a telephone number, so that we can telephone to clarify any details, if necessary.

Feedback

The Shetland Islands Council is committed to open government and freedom of information. The Publication Scheme lets you know what information is routinely made available by the Council. We want the Publication Scheme to make the Council more accountable to you, increasing your involvement in the democratic process. Your views on the Scheme will therefore bring improvements for the future, and the Council welcomes comments and suggestions on how it can improve the scheme, as it is important that the Scheme meets your needs.

Please send your comments to:

Jan-Robert Riise
Executive Manager - Governance and Law
Shetland Islands Council
Montfield

Burgh Road
Lerwick
Shetland
ZE1 0LA

Tel: 01595 744551
Fax: 01595 744585
Email: foi@shetland.gov.uk